Acting Project

  Analyze the Characters Makosky | THTR 174.301 Page 1 of 3 Indiana State University Introduction to Theater Acting Project: Analyzing Character Due Date: Monday, March 26 at 11:59pm Learning Objectives a. Recognize and describe the process of acting. b. Define ‘acting’ and examples of ‘given circumstances’. c. Identify and distinguish between character objectives, obstacles, and motivations. d. Examine clear relationships and meaning for characters. Assignment Description Using short plays from Take Ten: New 10-Minute Plays edited by Lane and Shengold, analyze characters and describe given circumstances using questions below. You will be required to look at two plays and concentrate on two characters from each of the plays you choose. Directions STEP 1: Choose two plays from this list: • THE MAN WHO COULDN’T DANCE by Jason Katims, page 79 • TWO ECLAIRS by Joe Pintauro, page 191 • FERRIS WHEEL by Mary Miller, page 161 * • BRIGHTS by David Smilow, page 277 * You will be using one of the plays from this project in a future project, so choose wisely! Please note that plays marked with * will not be available to be used in this future project. When picking your plays, choose one you LIKE or that INTERESTS you because you will be spending a lot of time with this play. Read both of your chosen plays. As you read, think about the given circumstances, character traits, and major conflicts within the plays. In order to be successful on this project, I suggest reading each play multiple times. STEP 2: Analyze the given circumstances. In the paperwork you will submit, list at least five ‘given circumstances’ from each play, including information about Previous Action, Environment, and Socio-Political situation. You should concentrate on given circumstances that you think the actors would need to know as they start creating their characters. There is a Given Circumstances PDF in the Module Materials. This may be helpful during this step! STEP 3: Analyze the characters. Using the below table, concentrate on two characters (this can be one from each play or two from the same play). Pick THREE questions from each box to answer for both characters – this results in a total of 24 questions answered (12 per character). If the text doesn’t give you the answers, use your imagination to make up answers based on what info the text does give you. Acting Project: Analyzing Character Makosky | THTR 174.301 Page 2 of 3 Based on TABLE 7.1 from The Art of Theatre (Downs, 159) General Information Sociological Traits 1. What is the character’s education? 2. What is the character’s career or occupation? 3. What is the character’s financial situation? 4. What are the character’s talents? 5. What are the character’s tastes? 1. What is the character’s nationality? 2. What is the character’s religion? 3. What is the character’s class or status? 4. What are the character’s family relationships? 5. What are the character’s political views? Physical Traits Psychological Traits 1. What is the character’s age and gender? 2. What is the character’s appearance? 3. What does the character wear? 4. What is the character’s health status (physical & mental) including medical problems? 5. What are the character’s mannerisms? 1. What is the character’s temperament? 2. What are the character’s hopes and ambitions? 3. What are the character’s disappointments? 4. What are the character’s fears & phobias? 5. What are the character’s morals and philosophy on life? Analyze one of the characters even deeper. Think about what the character wants and how they go about trying to achieve this. Write at least two paragraphs that identifies the following: - Objectives (what a character wants to achieve) - Motivations (why a character wants to achieve it) - Obstacles (the people or things that stand in the way of achieving the objectives). Within these paragraphs, examine how you know what the objectives, motivations, and obstacles are: - Where in the text did you find this information? - How do objective, motivation, and obstacle fit into what you know about conflict? Step 4: Prepare your paperwork for submission. Your paperwork can be in bullet points, but should be in complete sentences and standard spelling & grammar. Please use 12 point font and double space. Your final draft should be in the .doc or .docx format and titled LASTNAME_Acting.docx. Your final draft is due Monday, March 26 at 11:59pm on Blackboard (Learning Modules > Acting). Assessment The total assignment consists of the following requirements: • Five Given Circumstances from PLAY 1 / Five Given Circumstances from PLAY 2 • Analysis for CHARACTER 1 / Analysis for CHARACTER 2 • Paragraphs about Objectives, Motivation, Obstacles, and Conflict within the text of the play • Correct format; standard spelling/grammar This project is 100 points total. Acting Project: Analyzing Character Makosky | THTR 174.301 Page 3 of 3 Rubric Proficient Competent Marginal Novice Given Circumstances 25 points 25-22 points 21-18 points 17-15 points 14 points & below Required amount of given circumstances for each play Given circumstances are totally identified accurately Less than 8 total given circumstances Given circumstances are often accurately identified Less than 6 total given circumstances Given circumstances are somewhat accurately identified Less than 4 total given circumstances Given circumstances are identified inaccurately. Character Analysis 50 points 50-43 points 42-36 points 35-30 points 29 points & below Required amount of questions answered per character Analysis is thoughtful and meaningful Analysis is based on the text of the play, using interpretative skills Analysis is based on student background, using creative skills Less than 10 questions answered per character Analysis is often thoughtful and meaningful Analysis is often based on the text of the play and the student background Less than 8 questions answered per character Analysis is somewhat thoughtful and meaningful Analysis is somewhat based on the text of the play and/or the student background Less than 6 questions answered per character Analysis is rarely thoughtful and meaningful Analysis is lacking basis Objectives, Motivations, Obstacles Paragraph 25 points 25-22 points 21-18 points 17-15 points 14 points & below Objectives, motivations, and obstacles are totally accurately identified Extensive connection to conflict made Extensive connection to text made Objectives, motivations, and obstacles are often accurately identified Strong connection to conflict made Strong connection to text made Objectives, motivations, and obstacles are somewhat accurately identified Minor connection to conflict made Minor connection to text made Objectives, motivations, and obstacles are identified inaccurately Little to no connection to conflict made Little to no connection to text made Other Considerations Late? Deduct 5% per day per item – up to 1 week Materials and Technology Needed • Software needed: Microsoft Word. • Useful Tutorials (Playwriting > Acting Project > Tutorials & Tools) o How to Submit a Turnitin Assignment o Viewing Turnitin Feedback